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enRangers victory seals Hearts top flight returnHearts domination of the Scottish Championship has resulted in a title triumph and promotion to the Premiership, after just one season out of the top flight.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hearts-premiership-return-confirmed
A 3-0 victory at Falkirk on Saturday put Hearts on the brinkand Edinburgh rivals Hibernian's defeat at home to Rangers on Sunday confirmed Robbie Neilson's side will be back among Scotland's elitenext term.
Hearts - who have endured severe financial difficulties -have lost just once in the league all season, against Falkirk in January, winning 25 of their 29 Championship games to sit 23 points clear of Hibs.
Rangers' win also brought them within three points of Hibs with a game in hand as the race for the play-offs intensifies.
news_articleSun, 22 Mar 2015 15:20:25 +0000365080 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSpurs legend Mackay passes away aged 80Tributes have poured in for former Tottenham skipper Dave Mackay after the Scottish icon died aged 80 at a hospital in Nottingham.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/spurs-legend-mackay-passes-away
Mackay passed away at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on Monday.
The 22-time Scotland international won 10 major honours as a player during his time in England and Scotland, while he was named 'Footballer of the Year' in both countries.
MacKay was an iconic figure at Tottenham after winning all three domestic honours in Scotland with Hearts between 1957-1959, helping the London outfit become the first English side to achieve the 'double' of the league and FA Cup in 1960-61.
Tottenham paid tribute to one of their "greatest ever players", who also lifted the European Cup Winner's Cup in 1962-63.
"George Best once described him as: 'The hardest man I have ever played against – and certainly the bravest'," Tottenham said in a statement.
"Dave Mackay will certainly always be remembered here as one of our greatest ever players and a man who never failed to inspire those around him.
"In short, a Spurs legend.
"We extend our condolences to the Mackay family at this sad time."
Mackay spent six years with his boyhood club Hearts before moving to Tottenham in 1959.
After starring for Tottenham, Mackay went on to play for Derby County in 1968, where he was crowned 'Footballer of the Year' the following season.
Mackay moved to Swindon Town three years later, taking up a role as player-manager in 1971-72.
His managerial career took him to Nottingham Forest, Derby, Walsall, Al Arabi, Al Shabab, Doncaster Rovers, Birmingham City, Zamalek and the Qatar national team.
SEE ALSO Dave Mackay - One-on-One
news_articleTue, 03 Mar 2015 06:04:08 +0000354123 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHearts attack hits double figuresHearts hit a remarkable 10 goals without reply in Scotland onSaturday as they humbled visitorsCowdenbeath.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hearts-attack-hits-double-figures-scotland
The hosts scored five times in each half of their Scottish Championship clashat Tynecastle, with a hat-trick in just over three minutes - including two penalties - from striker Genero Zeefuik setting them on their way.
The Edinburgh side have suffered on and off the field in recent years, beset by financial problems that contributed to their relegation from the Scottish Premiership in 2014.
But Saturday's huge win meansthey are well on track for a swift return to the top tier, holdinga 20-point advantage at the top of the tableover cityrivals Hibernian.
news_articleSat, 28 Feb 2015 17:28:22 +0000352535 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAustralias McGowan seals Dundee United dealRyan McGowan claimed he always thought he would return to Scotland after joining Dundee United from Shandong Luneng.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/australia-international-joins-dundee-united
McGowan, 25, previously spent five years with Hearts between 2008 and 2013, winning the Scottish Cup in 2012.
Capable of playing at right-back and centre-back, the 12-cap Australia international has agreed a deal at Tannadice Park until the end of 2015-16, his contract with the Chinese Super League's Shandong having expired late last year.
"It is great to be back in the Scottish Premiership and I am excited about the challenge of being a Dundee United player," McGowan said in a statement.
"When I moved to Shandong Luneng Taishan, I believed I would return to Scottish football one day and for it to be here at Tannadice is fantastic.
"My time in China was a great experience but I look at what we can achieve here at Dundee United this season and I want to play a part in helping the club reach its goals."
Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara hailed the capture of a player he hopes will contribute to the club on and off the field.
"Ryan is a tough, strong and excellent footballer, who will improve us defensively," he said.
"He is a big lad, who is strong in the air, and this will impact in both defensive and attacking scenarios. He is a strong personality, which is important for me.
"I am delighted to be able to bring him to United because other clubs were after him. Players see our club as a great place to show off their talent and enjoy playing football.
"This signing makes us stronger defensively and that was something I was keen to address in this transfer window."
McGowan signed off on his Shandong Luneng career in memorable fashion, scoring in the 95th minute of the Chinese FA Cup final second leg to seal a 5-4 aggregate victory over Jiangsu Sainty.
His fellow Australia defender Curtis Good impressed on loan at Dundee United from Newcastle United during a brief spell last season.
McGowan missed out on Australia's Asian Cup squad after representing his country at the 2014 World Cup.
news_articleSat, 24 Jan 2015 03:46:54 +0000329928 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPaterson replaces Bardsley for ScotlandHearts defender Callum Paterson has replaced the injured Phil Bardsley in the Scotland squad to face Republic of Ireland and England.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/paterson-replaces-bardsley-scotland-squad
Bardsley had only just returned to the international setup after being overlooked by Gordon Strachan for eight months, but the Stoke City full-back suffereda groin strain against Tottenham on Sunday.
The 29-year-old was forced off in the ninth minute at White Hart Laneand had to watch on as his team sealed a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Bojan and Jonathan Walters.
Former Sunderland man Bardsleywill not feature in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Ireland at Parkheador the friendly againstEngland at the same venuenext Tuesday, soPaterson couldmake his international debut.
The London-born 20-year-old has scored one goal in six league appearances for Hearts this season, as Robbie Neilson's side have charged to the top of the Championship with 10 wins from their 12 matches.
He is the second player to be added to Strachan's squad in as many days after Johnny Russell was called up in place of injury Derby Countyteam-mate Craig Bryson.
news_articleMon, 10 Nov 2014 12:40:12 +0000284563 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLate penalty gives Man City win at HeartsA late penalty from Aleksandar Kolarov gave Manchester City a 2-1 win over Hearts as they continued their preparations for the new season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/late-kolarov-penalty-gives-man-city-friendly-win
The Serbian stepped up to earn victory for the Premier League champions at Tynecastle on Friday.
Kolarov's winner came after Osman Sow had cancelled out Scott Sinclair's first-half opener early in the second half as City got back to winning ways following a 2-0 loss at Dundee five days' earlier.
Sinclair, who has rarely been used since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Swansea City, put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute, but the goal owed more to the good work of the Spanish duo of Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo.
Navas cut in from the right to feed Negredo, who in turn slid a perfectly placed pass from the edge of the area into the path of Sinclair to slot past Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander.
City made a host of changes during the interval and as a result it was Hearts who started the second half the sharper of the two teams.
And the Scottish Championship side were rewarded in the 57th minute when Sow beat substitute goalkeeper Willy Caballero with a cool finish after latching onto a throughball from Dale Carrick.
Hearts looked set to hold on for a respectable draw but there was to be a twist in the tale 11 minutes from time as City's 20-year-old Welsh winger Emyr Huws was brought down in the box.
Referee Steven McLean duly pointed to the spot, enabling left-back Kolarov to secure triumph for City with a confident penalty into the bottom corner, beating the outstretched arm ofJack Hamilton despite thereplacement shot-stopper correctly diving to his left.
news_articleFri, 18 Jul 2014 21:00:52 +0000214639 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCeltic complete deal for goalkeeper GordonScottish champions Celtic have completed the signing of free agent Craig Gordon on a two-year deal, it was confirmed on Thursday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/celtic-complete-gordon-deal
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been without a club since being released by Premier League club Sunderland in May 2012.
A serious knee injury means Gordon has not played a competitive match since April of that year, although he did spend time training with Celtic's fierce rivals Rangers last season.
Gordon, capped 40 times by Scotland,will remain at Celtic until 2016, with the club having the option of a further 12 months.
"Celtichave signed goalkeeper Craig Gordon on a two-year contract with the club having the option of a third year," read a statement on the club's official website.
"The 31-year-old keeper, who formerly played with Hearts and Sunderland and who has 40 Scotland caps, will immediately jet out to Austria to join Ronny Deila and his new Celtic team-mates at their pre-season base."
Gordon began his career with Hearts, before Sunderland paid £9 million for his services in August 2007 -a then British record fee for a goalkeeper.
news_articleThu, 03 Jul 2014 13:47:42 +0000205929 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCeltic close to sealing deal for keeper GordonCeltic manager Ronny Deila has confirmed the Scottish Premiership champions are closing in on a deal to sign free agent Craig Gordon.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/celtic-close-gordon-deal
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been without a club since May 2012 when he was released by Premier League side Sunderland.
Gordon has been plagued with a number of knee injuries throughout his career, and spent time training with Celtic's Glasgow rivals Rangers last season.
However, it appears the former Hearts shot-stopper is set to sign on at Celtic Park amid reports that England international Fraser Forster is set to be sold, with Atletico Madrid heavily linked with a move.
"We are getting closer with Craig Gordon, it is down to the small details. We can make this happen but it's not confirmed yet,"Deilatold The Daily Record.
"We need to have alternatives. You always make contingency plans.
"If you are going to bring in older players then they need to have the right mentality and Craig has that."
Gordon moved to Sunderland in August 2007 in a £9 million deal, which at the time represented a British record fee fora goalkeeper.
news_articleWed, 02 Jul 2014 09:10:15 +0000205045 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHearts replace manager Locke with LeveinHearts have replaced manager Gary Locke with Craig Levein following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/levein-replaces-locke-hearts
The Edinburgh club suffered demotion from Scotland's top tier following a season that they started with a 15-point deduction after entering administration in June.
However, Hearts cleared the final hurdle to exiting administration last week as businesswoman Ann Budge completed her takeover of the club.
And, despite a run of five wins in their last eight games, Budge's first move has been to replace Locke with former Scotland boss Levein.
"We know it may be an unpopular decision with some of you, but the board has decided that we cannot offer Gary Locke a new contract as manager, at the end of his current contract," Budge said in a statement on the club's website.
"Please believe me when I say this has been an enormously difficult decision to make. We all know the pressures that Gary and his assistant, Billy Brown, have worked under over the last year.
"They were set an almost impossible task, which they handled with dignity and determination. For that, we are all hugely grateful to both of them.
"The players and backroom/support staff at Riccarton will be sorry indeed to see them go…as, I know, will a very large section of the Hearts support. They will both leave with our very grateful thanks and best wishes.
"Craig Levein will join the club with immediate effect and will assume total responsibility for everything to do with the playing side of the business.
"He will be responsible for putting in place an end-to-end strategy for how we are going to implement a youth-driven playing policy within the club."
Meanwhile, St Mirrenhave parted company with boss Danny Lennon, opting not to renew his contract with the club following an eighth-placed finish.
news_articleMon, 12 May 2014 13:49:39 +0000171322 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSPL Wrap: Hibernian drop into relegation play-offHibernian dropped into the Scottish Premierships relegation play-off after slumping to a 1-0 home defeat against Kilmarnock on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scottish-premiership-wrap-hibernian-drop-play-winless-run-continues
Hibs have already seen arch rivals Hearts relegated into the second tier and their latest defeat means they could follow them into a division that will also contain Scottish giants Rangers next term.
Terry Butcher's men could have secured their survival with a final-day win over Kilmarnock, but it was the visitors who avoided relegation themselves.
Kris Boyd scored the game's only goal in the 44th minute, as Hibs – who hit the bar and had an effort cleared off the line – saw their winless stretch to 13 matches.
Jordon Forster went close in the early stages for Hibs before Scott Robertson's header was nodded off the line by Barry Nicholson.
Their early pressure amounted to nothing, though, and Boyd swept home from just inside the penalty area on the stroke of half-time.
Hibernian captain Liam Craig saw his 20-yard effort hit the underside of the bar in an attempt that summed up his side's day, and they were unable to convert any of their late chances as they finished the season with 35 points from their 38 matches.
Kilmarnock's win took them to 39 points and ninth position.
Hibernian will play the winner of the Scottish Premiership's play-off semi-final over two legs later this month, with the prize being a spot in the division next season.
Partick Thistle finished just three points above Hibernian after a 3-2 home defeat to Ross County.
The visitors claimed a 2-0 lead through goals from Jordan Slew and Yoann Arquin but Lyle Taylor and George Moncur responded for Partick to level proceedings.
Ross County substitute Melvin de Leeuw bagged the winner with 13 minutes left, though, as his side finished on top of the relegation group.
And Hearts' 31-year-stay in the top flight of Scottish football ended with a 1-1 draw at St. Mirren.
Conor Newton's first-half strike was cancelled out by Hearts forward Dale Carrick three minutes after the break.
Hearts – who were deducted 15 points in June for entering administration - finished the season 12 points adrift of Hibs, despite a run that saw them win five of their last seven matches.
news_articleSat, 10 May 2014 14:35:45 +0000169957 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSPL Wrap: Kilmarnock, Partick keep hopes aliveWins for Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock ensured that either Killie or Hibernianare in fear of the relegation play-offs on the final day.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scottish-premiership-wrap-partick-kilmarnock-win-boost-survival-hopes
Partick came back from a goal down twice to romp to a 4-2 win at already-relegated Hearts. Goals from Lyle Taylor, Gary Fraser, Lee Mair and Kallum Higginbotham cancelled out home strikes from Callum Paterson and Danny Wilson and meant Partick lifted themselves three places to seventh.
Alan Archibald's men are now top of the bottom section of the Scottish Premiership. Just three points separate them from Hibernian, who currently reside in the relegation play-off spot, but they are no longer in danger with Kilmarnock travelling to Easter Road in the final game.
Kilmarnock were the other big winners on Wednesday, with a 1-0 victory over St Mirren settled by a 21st-minute strike from Kris Boyd, his 21st goal of the season. The win halted a run of three defeats since the division was split and manager Allan Johnston will be hoping his team's form has turned just in time, with the crunch encounter with Hibernian to come.
The Rugby Park men will have to go into that Hibernian clash without midfielder Barry Nicholson, though, who came on as substitute in the 81st minute, but was booked in the 85th and 87th to receive his marching orders.
A draw would leave Kilmarnock safe and condemn Hibernian to the relegation play-offs, while a Hibs win would leave Killie at risk of the drop.
At the top of the table, Neil Lennon's Celtic let a 3-1 lead slip to draw 3-3 in a remarkable game at McDiarmid Park.
St Johnstone were ahead at half-time through an early Tim Clancy strike, but quickfire goals from Kris Commons from the penalty spot, Finnish striker Teemu Pukki and Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk gave the visitors a seemingly comfortable advantage.
But Tommy Wright's men, who have one eye on the upcoming Scottish Cup final with Dundee United, replied to stun the champions with late strikes from Scott Brown and Michael O'Halloran.
In a game with little at stake, however, Celtic's three strikes do put them on 99 league goals for the season.
Wednesday's final game saw Motherwell beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 with first-half goals from a John Sutton penalty and a Gary Warren own goal.
Inverness replied with a second-half Graeme Shinnie strike. Motherwell were already safe in third place as the second UEFA Europa League qualifier after Dundee United lost 3-1 at home to Aberdeen on Tuesday.
news_articleWed, 07 May 2014 21:45:55 +0000168090 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSPL: Hearts 5 Kilmarnock 0Ryan Stevensons first-half hat-trick inspired Hearts to a 5-0 thrashing of relegation-threatened Kilmarnock on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scottish-premiership-hearts-5-kilmarnock-0
Visitors Kilmarnock came into the Scottish Premiership encounter knowing a point would lift them out of the relegation play-off berth and above Ross County on goal difference.
Instead they were given a hammering by a Hearts side whose drop to the Championship has already been confirmed, and Kilmarnock fans will fear they may join Gary Locke's men after the one-sided defeat.
Stevenson was the star of the show for the home side, firing his team in front from an 11th-minute free-kick before doubling his tally 13 minutes later when picked out by Sam Nicholson.
The 29-year-old completed his treble in first-half stoppage time, exchanging passes with Billy King before rifling home to leave the visitors shell-shocked at the interval.
Stevenson turned provider 11 minutes into the second half, as King coolly finished, before Callum Paterson benefited from more Stevenson service on the hour to round off the scoring.
It was the first time Hearts had scored five in a game since a 5-1 demolition of fierce rivals Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final two years ago.
news_articleSun, 04 May 2014 16:30:15 +0000165808 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSPL Wrap: Hearts win derby, Celtic win 6-0Already-relegated Hearts beat Hibernian 2-1 in the seasons final Edinburgh derby, while Celtic thrashed Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-0.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scottish-premiership-wrap-hearts-win-edinburgh-derby-celtic-thrash-inverness
Hearts sit at the bottom of the relegation group of the Scottish Premiership and have done so for the entire season after suffering a 15-point deduction in June.
They gave their fans a memorable derby win ahead of their drop to the Scottish Championship though, as a pair of first-half strikes from Callum Paterson settled the clash on Sunday.
The Easter Road crowd were silenced by Paterson's opener, as he gave Hearts the lead against the run of play in the 37th minute after meeting a corner with a looping header.
Paterson struck again four minutes later as the striker nodded Kevin McHattie's in-swinging free-kick past goalkeeper Ben Williams.
That left Hibernian shell-shocked, with Terry Butcher's side hovering nervously just one point above the relegation play-off place.
The hosts did manage to pull one goal back - Ryan McGivern's cross was headed in by Jordon Forster with 21 minutes left – but it was not enough as Hearts held on for a fourth win in five league games.
Celtic won far easier at Parkhead as they extended their unbeaten run to eight with a thumping victory.
The champions – who have lost just one league game all season – found themselves 2-0 up at half-time after Anthony Stokes' first-half double.
Stokes completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute, giving him 18 league goals for the season.
January signing Leigh Griffiths grabbed a fourth with 22 minutes to go, tapping in after good work from Stokes, and Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose headed in the fifth 10 minutes later.
Substitute Teemu Pukki completed the win moments later with another goal, as Celtic inflicted the league's heaviest defeat of the season on Inverness.
news_articleSun, 27 Apr 2014 18:38:10 +0000161053 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRangers legend Jardine passes away aged 65Rangers legend Sandy Jardine has died aged 65, after an 18-month battle with cancer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/rangers-legend-jardine-dies
Jardine passed away on Thursday evening, with the club confirming the news on their official website.
"Sandy had been battling bravely against cancer for the past 18 months and was a regular visitor to Ibrox until a short time ago but he sadly passed away peacefully tonight surrounded by his family," a Rangers statement read.
"Rangers has lost a man of dignity, class and honour tonight and the thoughts of everyone at the Club are with his wife Shona, children Steven and Nicola, his grandchildren and friends."
Sir Alex Ferguson, a former team-mate of Jardine's, passed on his sympathies to Jardine's family.
"From Cathy and I, this is some of the worst news we have heard," Ferguson said.
"Sandy was a noble and courageous man. The respect he is held in at Rangers is immense.
"He was one of the greatest players ever to wear the jersey.
"To Shona and family, we express our sympathy and sadness."
Rangers manager Ally McCoist said he grew up watching Jardine ply his trade, and paid his respects to the club legend.
"There have been many great names associated with Rangers Football Club in our 142 year history and Sandy is a Rangers legend in every sense of the word," McCoist said.
"We are all devastated by the news he has passed away, we have lost a great man today.
"I had the privilege of watching Sandy playing for Rangers when I was a young boy, I had enjoyed the pleasure of working with him closely since I returned to the club in 2007 and he was a truly remarkable human being."
Jardine played 451 league matches for the Scottish powerhouse, before adding another 184 Premier League games - plus a two-year coaching stint - at Hearts.
The Edinburgh-born right-back also made 38 appearances for Scotland's national team from 1970-79.
He helped Rangers to three Scottish top flight titles and 10 cup wins across the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup tournaments.
news_articleFri, 25 Apr 2014 02:31:40 +0000159495 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSPL Wrap: Sutton strike denies CelticJohn Suttons stoppage-time strike ensured Motherwell held Celtic to a dramatic 3-3 draw in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scottish-premiership-wrap-sutton-denies-celtic-saints-beat-united
Goals from Sutton and Zaine Francis-Angol had put Stuart McCall's side 2-0 up, with Gunnar Nielsen saving a Kris Commons penalty beforeFrancis-Angol doubled their lead.
Anthony Stokes then pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time and the champions looked set to pull off a stunning victory when goals from Georgios Samaras and Leigh Griffiths put them 3-2 up with two minutes remaining.
Griffiths, whose future at Celtic has come under scrutiny as he faces Scottish Football Association charges for alleged derogatory chants about Hearts and their former midfielder Rudi Skacel, was unable to end a miserable week on a high though, as Sutton had the final say in time added on.
The draw leaves Motherwell three points behind Aberdeen in the race for second place and seven better off than fourth-placed Dundee United, who were beaten 2-0 at their Scottish Cup final opponents St Johnstone.
Steven Anderson and the prolific Stevie May were on target as Tommy Wright's side secured a victory that leaves them just three points behind United.
There was controversy atRugby Park as Partick Thistle secured a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock to move level on points with the hosts in the battle to avoid a relegation play-off.
Vitalijs Maksimenko put Kilmarnock in front and, after Kallum Higginbotham had equalised, Michael Gardyne thought he had restored the advantage when his chip bounced down off the crossbar in a frantic start to the second half.
The home side were convinced that the ball had crossed the line before goalkeeper Paul Gallacher cleared, but referee BrianColvin waved play on and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair rubbed salt in the wounds by scoring the winner five minutes from time.
Victory for Alan Archibald's side moved them above Ross County, who are now second from bottom after they were beaten 2-0 at relegated Hearts.
Jamie Hamill scored and was later sent off for a second bookable offence before Dale Carrick sealed the points for the Edinburgh club, who are on the verge of being taken over by local businesswomen Ann Budge.
Kenny McLean scored after less than 15 seconds and Paul McGowan was also on target as St Mirren secured a 2-0 home victory over Hibernian, despite playing with 10 men for an hour following Jim Goodwin's dismissal.
Both sides are three points clear of Ross County with four games remaining.
news_articleSat, 19 Apr 2014 19:12:27 +0000156844 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com